Celtics' Kevin Garnett: Pistons' Charlie Villanueva is 'a nobody'

AP PhotoKevin Garnett and the Celtics will visit The Palace on Dec. 29.

AUBURN HILLS -- Just when Detroit Pistons fans thought the controversy between forward Charlie Villanueva and Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was a thing of the past, Garnett fired another shot.

A media member asked Garnett on Friday whether he had moved on from the controversy with Villanueva, which stemmed from a game between the teams Tuesday at The Palace.

“That’s a nobody,” Garnett said. “I’m not paying attention to nobodies no more.”

Villanueva declined to comment Saturday after practice.

The controversy started in the wee hours of Wednesday morning when Villanueva -- via his Twitter account -- accused Garnett of calling him a “cancer patient” during the game Tuesday night. Garnett later in the day released a statement claiming that he had instead told Villaneuva, “You are cancerous to your team and our league.”

Villanueva suffers from alopecia, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss over the entire body.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers backed Garnett and said that he heard Garnett make that specific comment during the game.

Others scoffed, questioning whether Garnett -- one of the biggest trash talkers the league has ever seen -- would use such stilted language.

When told of Garnett’s clarification Wednesday, Villanueva stuck to his story, telling media members, “I know exactly what I heard.”

The next meeting between the Pistons and Celtics is set for Dec. 29 at The Palace.

Bynum’s shoes attract attentionThe bright blue shoes Will Bynum wears continue to be a topic of conversation among fans, the media and teammates. McGrady offered his opinion Saturday.

Ben Gordon said he likes the shoes. Both Gordon and Bynum said they have similar shoes that are bright red that they plan to break out soon.Injury updateVillanueva had some back stiffness Saturday, but he is expected to play today against the Warriors. Chris Wilcox (hamstring) remains out of the lineup.